Boardwalk Talk

Today on Boardwalk Talk, we discuss the cultural landmark that is Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. A recording of the record-smashing and the culturally defining show has just been released on Disney+, and for many, this will be their first introduction to one of Broadway’s most popular shows! Having never seen it ourselves, we take some time to discuss our first impressions and discuss how theater may change now that one of its most popular shows has been recorded and released for continual viewings. If you haven’t seen the show, or just want to hear people talk about Hamilton for an hour, come listen!

Before our review, we discuss some news from within the Theme Park community including new developments on the re-opening of Disneyland, the future of The VOID at Downtown Disney and Disney Springs, and the recent announcement that Splash Mountain will close and be rethemed to the Princess and the Frog! We have a lot to catch up on, and we hope you’ll join us! 

Black Lives Matter Carrd: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Ryan Dorman is a Columnist and the Content Director for the Boardwalk Times. He can be found on Twitter at @OpentheDorman, and as a host of the Boardwalk Talk podcast on iTunes.

Today on Boardwalk Talk, we begin by discussing some of the information surrounding the planned opening of Walt Disney World and Disneyland in July! Though many are excited for the chance to visit the Disney Parks again, we take some time to focus both on the viral pandemic that will impact the health of visitors, as well as the growing calls for delay by Disneyland unions in an attempt to protect their workers. These cast members will be forced to interact with guests, and without strong preventative measures by Disney, they could be at great risk for contracting the deadly virus. 

After this, we focus our attention on some controversy within the community. Growing discomfort has asked consumers to reconsider the relationship with Splash Mountain, while strife between personalities has reintroduced conflict between the content creator and the theme park industry at the opening show of the Bourne Stuntacular. For the duration of today’s show, we dive deep into each of these issues, analyze the perspectives on both sides, and come to a conclusion together. We hope it leaves you with a perspective you hadn’t considered before!

Black Lives Matter Carrd: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Today’s episode was recorded on the 28th of May. Since then, the narrative online has pivoted towards the deeply rooted systematic injustices that plague American society at every level. During this time, everyone with a platform owes their support to the growing movement attempting to enact social change. 

Both of us at Boardwalk Talk are deeply appalled by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police who abused the power entrusted to them. Not only are we pained by the murder of George Floyd, but also the routine abuses of power that have taken the lives of other innocent Black men and women. Black Lives Matter, and recognizing this simple truth is just as important now as it ever has been. 

Please show your support for the movement by visiting this link and pledging either your signature for the various petitions or money for various fundraisers. No matter who you are, your support is meaningful and can be the difference between progress and inaction.

Black Lives Matter Carrd: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

On the show, we are lucky to have Blake Roark back on the show to discuss another animated film. This time, we turn our focus to one of Disney’s worst, the ImageMovers Animated Film Mars Needs Moms! Did we hate it? Yes! Is it awful? Yes! Is this episode a better use of your time than actually watching the film? Absolutely. 

This episode was actually recorded moments before the Seth Green cut of the film was leaked online. If you want to give that a look, you can find it here. 

Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-909225213/mars-needs-moms-the-seth-green-cut

You can find the episode here:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/boardwalk-talk/id1265209747?mt=2

Podbean: https://boardwalktimes.podbean.com/

On today’s episode of Boardwalk Talk, we begin by updating on the opening of Disney Springs and City Walk at WDW and Universal in Florida. The theme park world is still responding to COVID, and we’re curious to see where it goes next. 

The main topic of today’s show involves Ryan O’Reilly’s history working at Universal Studios Hollywood. He shares his expertise on Transformers: The Ride, one of the groundbreaking attractions that pioneered multi-leveled experiences and screen-based dark rides. During his time at the park, he learned the ins-and-outs of the queue process, thematic aspects of the ride, guest actions, secrets of the backlot, and much more! If you’re a fan of Universal (or theme parks in general), and you want some special behind-the-scenes information, join us for today’s interview!You can find the episode here:

On today’s episode of Boardwalk Talk, we discuss all the new surrounding theme parks including the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland, Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, and continued construction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Additionally, we mention some news on the entertainment side, including Disney’s most recent earnings call, as well as new content coming to Disney+! 

The second half of the show turns speculative, as we focus our discussion on the reopening of the domestic Theme Parks. Will it be as smooth as the procedure in Shanghai? Will it be inhibited by guests failing to appreciate the health risk involved? We analyze these variables (and many more) to determine exactly how this virus will affect one of the most popular pastimes in the nation. 

UPDATE: We were previously unsure of how Disney Springs would open in the face of COVID, but it seems like they will be forcing mandatory masks and temperature checks at the parking garages. I must admit, Ryan O’Reilly was right. 

On today’s special interview episode of Boardwalk Talk, we’re joined once again by Ben Lancaster to discuss his new podcast radio drama World of Tomorrow. 

We ended the last show discussing some of the canceled Disney projects that never came to be. Though many centered around theme parks or attractions, we left off with a mention of Progress City, Walt Disney’s dream for a curated town focused on technological development and a new era of a modern community. Despite never being finished, Walt’s dream lives on in the minds of fans and historians alike. 

We’re extremely happy to be joined by Ben on the show again, and we hope you all check out his brilliant show before the first season, Murder in Progress, before the final episode released on April 28th. 

You can find World of Tomorrow — Murder in Progress show the iTunes Podcast app, as well as other locations by going 

Today on Boardwalk Talk, we start by discussing some of the updates surrounding the theme park world amidst CoViD-19. Hopefully, you’ve been reading about the congregation climate in this severely restrictive world, but we wanted to offer mild commentary on the way this will affect theme parks going on. 

One central topic surrounding the virus and theme parks in the position it leaves future developments in the Disney Parks, specifically projects that had either entered the early stages of construction or were planned to enter them soon. Many of these may be canceled, so we wanted to reflect on some other Disney projects canceled for one reason or another. 

Did you know Disney wanted to build a theme park in Haymarket Virginia, giving audiences a feel for life in early America? How about an early theme to the Tower of Terror developed around the works of Mel Brooks? Maybe a Muppet overlay to Superstar Limo? For discussion on these (and more), check out today’s show!

From both of us at Boardwalk Talk, we thank our audience for respecting the Self-Quarantine and Social Distancing guidelines that will help protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19. It may be grueling, but your service is appreciated and will ensure the safety of more people than you could ever imagine. We are only as good as our efforts, and these precautions ensure us a better tomorrow.

As you quarantine, you might be looking for something to keep the mind busy. So, for today’s podcasty-thing, we’re here to cover all Disney Parks news related to the virus, as well as the new Avengers C.A.M.P.U.S at Disney California Adventure and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s been a slow period for Disney news, and we’re here to catch up before the real flood gates open.

About an hour into the show, we pivot into a discussion about the various offerings on Disney+ that may help you through this period of isolation. Both Ryans offer three films and two television shows each, all available on Disney+, that may pique your interest as you enjoy the luxury of quarantine. Additional recommendations are offered by recurring guest Blake (@NeilNevins) and the Boardwalk Times staff. Check it out!

In this week’s episode of Boardwalk Talk, we welcome the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Chapek (former head of the Parks, Resorts, and Products) with open arms and an analytical mind. Does this new era signal harrowing decline for the company, or does it open doors for a more prosperous future? Only time will tell.

Aside from the main topic, we discuss recent developments including a redesign for Cinderella Castle at WDW, the grand opening of Regal Eagle Smokehouse, a sneak-peek at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and much more! 

We’re incredibly excited to show you what we have in store for the rest of the year, and we hope you’ll join us on this journey together!

On this week’s episode of Boardwalk Talk, we have a lot to cover! Starting with the news, we talk about the newly announced M&M’s store in Disney Springs, new films at Epcot, and the FastPass+ system at Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. We’ve been gone for a bit, so we’ve got a lot of news to catch up on!

Following the news, we discuss each of our trips to Disney Parks. Dorman is here to cover everything at Walt Disney World, while O’Reilly runs down his time at Disneyland! From attractions to dining, we’re here to cover it all! Special focus is given to Galaxy’s Edge, discussing merchandise and the various experiences the land offers. 

Finally, we review Galaxy’s Edge’s newest attraction Rise of the Resistance! Join the Resistance as you board an Imperial Star Destroyer, but be sure to keep the secrets of the rebellion to yourself. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands! The attraction is a technological marvel, and we hope our commentary on both the boarding pass system and the ride itself will paint a clear picture of Disney’s newest experiment!

Timestamps: 

0:00 — News 

54:00 — Trip Discussion 

2:00:00 — Rise of the Resistance Review